Originally published in Westfair Business Journal, June 25, 2026

City and school officials from Yonkers joined with some members of Westchester’s delegation to Albany at City Hall in Yonkers to highlight that the Fiscal Year 2027 New York State Budget includes more than $189 million in aid for Yonkers.

The funding includes $163.2 million in municipal state aid for the city itself, an increase of 44% from what it was in the previous fiscal year. Part of the money will be set aside by the city for the Yonkers Public Schools, which will be in addition to $26 million secured by the Yonkers Delegation directly for the school system. The Yonkers Public Schools had been facing a budget gap and was considering layoffs of teachers and staff as a way to help deal with the shortfall.

From left: New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky; Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools Aníbal Soler, Jr.; Nader Sayegh; Yonkers Council Majority Whip Deana Norman; Yonkers City Council President Lakisha Collins Bellamy; New York State Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow; Mike Spano; Yonkers City Councilmember Tasha Diaz; Yonkers City Council Majority Leader John Rubbo; Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Shelley Mayer; Yonkers Public Schools Board of Education Trustee Sheila Greenwald; Rosalba Del Vecchio. Photo by Steven Vieira/City of Yonkers.

“We are grateful to our Yonkers state delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and (to) Governor Hochul for recognizing the needs of Yonkers and delivering critical additional funding for both our city and our schools in this year’s State Budget,” Mayor Mike Spano said. “The increased aid strengthens our ability to protect classroom resources, support our students and educators, and preserve essential city services without placing additional burdens on local property taxpayers. Yonkers can continue moving forward, investing in our future, and delivering for the people we serve.”

Stewart-Cousins, who is from Yonkers, characterized the funding as being “part of the State Legislature’s overall commitment to assist municipalities and school districts throughout the state. Local governments outside of New York City will receive more than $1 billion in municipal assistance. School aid funding will reach $39 billion statewide.”

State Sen. Shelley Mayer, a Yonkers resident, said the funding “will help ensure students have the resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow said, “These resources will help strengthen city services, support key initiatives, and improve the quality of life for residents across our community.”

Assemblymember Nader Sayegh forecast that the funding “will help strengthen educational programs, support teachers and staff, expand student services, and provide critical resources that enhance learning opportunities for students across the district. By investing in our schools, we are investing in the future of our children and helping ensure that every student has the support they need to reach their full potential.”

Yonkers Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio said of those who worked to secure the funding, “When our budget was in the red, they came to the rescue.”